Lady Layton takes over in latest Professor Layton sequel

Japanese developer Level 5 has revealed the next instalment in its Professor Layton puzzle adventure series, which sees the good detective's daughter taking over the family business.

The new game, known as Lady Layton: The Conspiracy of King Millionaire Ariadne, was announced during Level 5's 'Vision 2016' broadcast in Japan, and will focus on new character Catriel Layton stepping into her father's shoes as the pre-eminent puzzle-solver and detective of a vaguely Victorian-era London.

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The whereabouts of the series' previous hero, Professor Hershel Layton, seems key to this game, with Catriel searching for her missing father. But, just as he was aided in his adventures, so too will his offspring. Catriel travels around with Sharo, a talking dog, and Noah Montol, her butler, while crossing paths with the series' trademark assortment of eccentric characters.

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ByRichard Priday

The series, which began with Professor Layton and the Curious Village for Nintendo DS in 2007, modernises traditional point-and-click adventure gameplay, blending sprawling narratives with increasingly complex Brain Training-style puzzles. This looks set to continue with Lady Layton, along with a return of lush anime visuals - although it appears A-1 Pictures takes over from PA Works in animating the cutscenes.

Level 5

As with earlier core entries in the series, Lady Layton is confirmed for Nintendo 3DS but is also coming to smartphones, set for release on Android and iOS devices. Previously, only spin-off Layton Brothers: Mystery Room - which featured the Professor's son, Alfendi Layton - had brought the series to phones in the west, although Japan enjoyed a few regional exclusive mobile games.

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Layton Brothers offered the first two chapters free, then sold the remaining content as two DLC packs. That might indicate how Lady Layton will be sold on mobile, though a standard 'complete' release for 3DS seems likely.

Level 5

Lady Layton is set for release in Japan in 2017, to coincide with the Professor Layton series's 10th anniversary. No UK date has been confirmed, but given every previous main entry has been localised, it seems reasonable to expect this to reach us too.